He said a conspiracy had been planned by unspecified people to derail the country’s transition to democracy.
The Pakistani leader pledged that upcoming elections would be “free, fair and transparent," but opponents and representatives of minority Christians have expressed their doubts.
Demanding more seats in Parliament, members of the Christian community in Pakistan have announced a boycott of the January 8 general election under the current rules, the Press Trust of India (PTI) news agency reported.
KEY ROAD BLOCKED
Led by former federal minister J Salik, around 300 Christians blocked a key location in Islamabad, Municipal Road, for about two hours last week, December 7, PTI said. Police reportedly tried to block their march from the Rawalpindi-Islamabad Press Club to the office of the Geo TV channel.
On Friday, President Musharraf made last-minute changes to the constitution, seen as an attempt to legalize his moves to stay in power and silence his opponents.
The amendments legalized the forced retirement of judges who refused to accept emergency rule, address election procedures and eliminate a two-term limit for prime ministers. Musharraf also put the country’s nuclear arsenal firmly in government control, handing it over to the National Command Authority, the Voice of America (VOA) network reported.
INTE5RNATIONAL CONCERN
The move is aimed at allaying international concern that Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal could fall into the hands of Islamist extremists, VOA said. Pakistan’s attorney general told VOA that rights of individual expression will be restored, and some media restrictions might be lifted. It was not immediately clear when that would happen, despite protests.
At last week’s demonstration in Islamabad, Christians shouting anti-government slogans, demanded that the constitution and the pre-emergency judiciary be restored, PTI said. The protesters reportedly criticized the government for curbing the media and depriving people of their constitutional right to unhindered access to information.
There are an estimated 2.4 million Christians in Pakistan, many of whom live in difficult circumstances including poverty and attacks from Muslim militants, advocacy groups say.
Millions of Christians will suffer this Christmas and in the New Year for their faith. Will you help us to tell their story? Take a volunteer subscription of any amount or a republishing subscription for just $120 for a year. Please click here: http://bosnewslife.com/index.php?//page.volunteerSubscription&menuId=18 Thanks for your support. The BosNewsLife News Team
